What leads a Christian boy into the gay lifestyle and what can the church do to prevent it? Several years ago, Dr. James Dobson gave us answers to these questions in his book, "Bringing Up Boys." His words are as relevant today as they were then.
Dobson refutes the myth that homosexuality is genetic and upholds the biblical view that homosexual behavior is sin. With penetrating analysis, he then looks beneath the surface to evaluate what may incline a boy to the homosexual lifestyle. Although this question is admittedly complex, Dobson identifies two primary pathways into homosexuality. The first is early sexual abuse. “One study indicated that fully 30 percent of homosexuals say they were sexually abused as a child, many of them repeatedly.” Remembering this horrific fact helps my heart weep, as Jesus would have, for those enslaved by this destructive way of life.
It is the second pathway to the homosexual lifestyle that is the focus of the rest of this article: gender confusion. In today’s world, when a boy begins to doubt his masculinity, he begins to wonder, “Am I gay?” Dobson cites at length the research of Dr. Joseph Nicolosi, whom he calls, “the foremost authority on the prevention and treatment of homosexuality today.” Here is a brief, summary of his findings.
Homosexuality is a break-down in a boy or girl’s normal gender identity development.
- 75 percent of the homosexuals in his research gave evidence of gender-identity confusion in their growing up years. That is, they had strong doubts about their masculinity.
- This was especially true of artistic, sensitive, non-aggressive boys who did not fit their contemporary male stereotype. In today’s world, they assume that if they don’t fit the masculine mold, they must be gay.
- Dads play a strategic role in their son’s gender identity development, but the natural process of a son’s gender identification with his father can sometimes go awry. (A very high percentage of homosexual men grew up with a fractured relationship with their fathers.)
- Dad’s can lower the risk of gender confusion by deepening their bond with their son, giving him an accurate definition of true masculinity, helping him celebrate his unique design, and lavishly affirming him—especially his masculine traits.
In 2013, gender confusion is intensifying as feminism blurs male/female distinctions and the gay lifestyle achieves more and more acceptance in our land. That’s the bad news.
But there is good news. There is now a tool to help Dads steer their sons through the perilous waters of gender confusion, which might suck them into the homosexual lifestyle. It is: Boys to Men: A Five Week Father/Son Study on Godly Manhood. These 5 studies, targeted to 11-15 year olds, help a son grow into his masculine identity by helping him:
1. Form a biblical view of masculinity.
2. Commit to godliness in his male/female relationships.
3. See Jesus as the model of true manhood.
4. See that allegiance to Jesus Christ is what his masculine heart was made for.
5. Forge an even deeper, life-long friendship with his father.
Here is the link so purchasing this book.
Never in America has it been more important to help every Christian man dad steer his sons away from homosexuality and towards godly manhood. Click here to find our more about this strategic resource.
